Bolt-actuating device.



No. 779,354. PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

A. EVENSEN. BOLT AGTUATING DEVICE.

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No. 779,354. PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905. A. EVBNSEN.

BOLT AGTUATING DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR.11,1903.

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A. EVENSEN. BOLT AGTUATING DEVICE APPLICATION FILED MAR.11,1903.

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BOLT AGTUATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.11,1903.

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BOLT AOTUATING DEVIGE.

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No. 779,854. 7 PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

A. BVENSEN.

- BOLT ACTUATING DE APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11, 03.

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PATENT OFFICE.

ANTON EVENSEN, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BOLT-ACTUATINC-LDEV-ICE.

SPECIFICATION forming" part of Letters Patent No: 779,354, dated January 3, 1905.

Application filed March 11, 1903. Serial No. 147,238.

To (LZZ whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ANTON EvENsEN, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bolt-Actuating Devices; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic bolt-actuating devices for safe or vault doors of that class embracing two sets of bolt-actuating springs, both of which are placed under compression before the door is closed and one of which acts to cast or throw the bolts after the closing of the door and another of which acts to retract the bolts at the time the door is to be opened or unlocked, together with one or more clocks or time mechanisms arranged to effect the release of the retracting-springs at the time it is desired they should come into action for retracting the bolts- The invention consists inthe matters hereinafter described, and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure l is a view in elevation of the inner face of a circular safe-door, together with adjacent parts of the safe-wall, illustrating a lock embodying my invention provided with four sets of radially-arranged bolts with their actuating-springs and four time-locks. Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken through the wall of the safe, showing the door in edge elevation. Fig. 3 is a detail face view of the bolt-actuating mechanism, illustrating the device by which the casting and retracting springs are released. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of a bolt-casting mechanism with the top plate of the lock-case removed, illustratingthe casting and retracting springs, this section being taken on line 5 5 of Fig.6. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken I on line 6 6 of Fig. 5 through two opposite sets ofthe casting and retracting springs. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating a changed position of the parts or the position of the same when the bolts are retracted and the parts are set for closing the door. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 7. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 7, showing the positions of the parts after the bolts have been retracted and also illustrating devices for releasing the casting-springs in looking. Fig. 9 is a detail section taken upon line 9 9 of Fig. 8, illustrating the device for releasing the casting-springs in looking. Fig. 10 is a detail view showing a part of the safewall in section, adjacent parts of the door and circular bar D in side elevation, and the parts V and V on said wall and bar in side and end Views, respectively. Fig. 1 1 is an enlarged detail face view of the centrally-arranged rings by which the several boltactuating devices are simultaneously actuated or operated. Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail section taken upon line 12 12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a view of the inner face of the rectangular door, illustrating my invention as applied to a boltactuating device having two sets only of casting and retracting springs.

As shown in said drawings, Aindicates the safe-wall, and B a door of circular form.

0 indicates the lock-case, which is secured to the inner face of the door.

D D indicate the bolts, which are arranged radially outside of the lock case and are mounted to slide in suitable guide-notches formed in a circular bar D, which may be attached to the inner face of the door and surrounds the lock-case, but which is preferably integral with the door. Said bolts are shown as provided with beveled surfaces (J at their ends, adapted to engage correspondinglybeveled surfaces a on the inner surface of the wall of the safe, this construction being employed in order that the bolts when forced or thrust outwardly by the casting-springs will operate to force or pull the door tightly into its seat in the safe-wall.

The lock-case G is shown as made of circular form and as provided with a central recess C, Fig. 5, four radial chambers G which contain the casting and retracting springs, and four intermediate circular chambers 0 G located between the radial chambers C and within which are placed the timers or clock mechanisms. The lock-case is shown as provided with a removable cover-plate C, which extends over and covers the chambers C and C and on which a number of the operative parts of the device are mounted. Said plate C" is provided with apertures corresponding with the clock-recesses C". In Figs. 1 and 2 a second protecting-cover C", of cruciform shape, is shown as applied to cover the operative parts which are mounted on the outer face of the covering-plate C of the lock-case, so that said operative parts, which are shown in Figs. 3 to 8, are not visible in said Figs. 1 and 2.

In the outer parts of the chambers C are located radially-sliding bolt-actuating plungers E, which project through slots or openings in the outer wall of the case and which act on the inner ends of the bolts D. Said plungers E are shown as made of cylindric form and as located adjacent to the bottoms of the recesses C or near the inner face of the safe-door. Vithin the inner ends of the chambers are radially-sliding followerplates F. Between said follower-plates and the plungers E are located the casting-springs G, which are of'spiral and expansively-acting form and the outer ends of which enter the plungers E, the latter being made hollow to receive them. l/Vithin the chambers C are also located the retracting-springs H, which are also of spiral form and adapted to act by expansion. As shown in the drawings, each bolt is provided with one casting and two retracting springs. The retracting-springs in each chamber bear at their inner ends against the follower-plate F, and at their outer ends against the part C of the outer wall of the lock-case, which closes the outer end of the recess C Attached to each follower-plate F are two retracting-bolts F, which pass through said wall C" and also through a lateral lug or bracket (5 on the inner end of the bolt D and are provided at their outer ends with heads f, which engage the lugs (Z on the bolt in retracting the latter. The retractingsprings are shown as surrounding the bolts F. Each of the follower-plates F is provided with a rigidly-attached rack-bar F which extends radially inward into the central recess C of the lock-case and is adapted to be engaged by an actuating-pinion H, attached to a removable or detachable shaft H, the inner end of which is adapted to be inserted into the central recess of the lock-case and which has at its end a bearing-stud it, which enters and is adapted to turn in a central bearing-aperture in a central boss or hub c, Fig. 6, formed on the inner wall of the lock-case.

In the quadruple lock shown the opposite pairs of rack-bars F are arranged in the same plane, but one pair is located at one side of the plane of the opposite pair, so that the two rack-bars which are at right angles cross each other in different planes or one inside of the other, the pinion H being made long enough to engage both opposite pairs of said rack-bars. As a result of this construction all four of the follower-plates F may be moved by turning the single pinion H. The wall G of the lock-case is provided with a central aperture 0, through which may be passed the shaft H, which is provided at its outer end with a double lever-arm /t, Fig. 6, by which the shaft may be turned in setting the device for operation.

The bolt casting and retracting springs described operate generally in the same manner as the like springs heretofore usedthat is to say, when the bolts are retracted and held in their retracted position the pinion H may be turned to throw allof the followerplates outwardly, thereby compressing the casting-springs between the said followerplates and the outer ends of the plungers E, which at that time are held from movement by its contact with the bolts D, and also compressing the retracting-springs H between said follower-plate F and the wall C, against which the said springs bear, it being understood that the bolts F slide freely in the lugs (Z, so that when the retracting-springs are compressed the bolt-heads stand at a considerable distance outside of the said lugs d. If the bolts D now be released, the casting-springs G will force outwardly the plungers E, and the latter, acting against the outer ends of the bolts, will throw or cast the same, the lugs (Z then sliding outwardly on the bolts F. When the follower-plates F are forced outwardly to compress the casting and retracting springs, said follower-plates are locked in their outward positions, and if at the time set for unlocking said follower-plates be released the retracting-springs H will act to throw inwardly the follower-plates and the retractingbolts F, and the latter, acting on the lugs cl of the bolts D, will draw the bolts backward, and thus unlock the door.

Now referring to means illustrated for controlling the action of the casting and retracting springs and describing the devices belonging to one of the bolts only, I indicates a holding-detent in the form of a disk, which is mounted on the lock-case and is adapted to engage and hold from movement the bolt under the action of its casting-spring, and J is a like detent in the form of a disk, also mounted on the lock-case and adapted to engage the follower-plate F to hold the same from inward movement under the action of the retracting-springs. Said detents I and J are shown as located in the same plane with each other and as supported on pivot-studs j, which are secured in and project outwardly from the cover (3* of the lock-case. The detent I is adapted to engage the bolt D by means of a stud (Z which projects outwardly from the flange CZ, on said bolt and is adapted to engage a holding prong or hook 2'', formed by means of a notch cut in the margin of the disk which constitutes said detent. The notch in said detent is cut away at 2' so as to give room for the stud d to move backwardly in position to be engaged by the hold-- ing-prong when the detent is turned or rotated in a direction to bring the said prong in front of the stud or into holding engagement therewith. The holding-detent J for the follower-plate F'is adapted to engage said follower-plate by means of a stud f, which rises from the follower-plate through a slot 0 formed radially in the cover-plate 0* of the lock-case, as clearly seen in Fig. 6, and which is adapted to engage a holding-prong 7" on .the detent J, which l'iolding-prong is formed by a notch cut into the marginal part of said disk. Said notch is provided with a camshaped edge f adapted for contact with the stud f when the follower-plate is thrust outward in compressing the springs and by which the said stud in its outward movement acts to turn or rotate the detent in a direction to bring the prong 7" into holding engagement with the said stud f.

Fig. 3 shows the position of the parts above referred to when the safe is locked, the studs (Z being at this time released from the detents I and the bolts at the outward limit of their movement, while the retracting-springs are held under tension by the engagement of the detents J with the studs f.

Fig. 7 shows the position of the parts when the device is set for locking or preparatory to closing the door. Both the casting and retracting springs are under tension, the detents I being engaged with the studs (Z to hold the bolts from outward movement and the detents J being engaged with the studs f to hold the follower-plates from inward movement.

Fig. 8 shows the position of the parts after the bolts have been retracted by the retracting-springs. In this instance both sets of springs are expanded, and the follower-plates are at the inward limit of their movement. The detents I are, however, engaged with the studs d on the bolts, such engagement having been effected after the bolts were thrown back by a spring-actuated mechanism, hereinafter described.

Rotative movement is given to the diskshaped detents J, so as to release their holding-prongs y" from the studs f on the follower-plates, and thus release the retractingsprings at the time of unlocking, as determined by the time-locks, by devices as follows: K is a centrally-arranged rotative actuating-ring which is mounted to turn on a central sleeve or hub 0 which projects outwardly from the face of the cover-plate 0* around the central opening 0 therein. Surrounding the ring K and also mounted on the sleeve 0" is a second ring L, through the medium of which and a dog M, carried by a third stationary or non-rotative ring N, also mounted on the hub 0 motion is transmitted from the time-lock to the actuating-ring K. In the detail of these parts illustrated, as most clearly shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the ring N is located nearest the cover-plate C of the lock-case and is provided with a sleeve a, which has immediate bearing on the hub 0 said ring N having a projecting lug n, on which the dog M is mounted. The external ring L has a thinner inner part Z, which rests against the ring N and [its upon the sleeve n of said ring, while the ring K fits at its inner edge around the said sleeve n and rests within the annular recess formed by the thinner inner part of the ring L, the faces of the rings K and L being flush with each other.

Now referring to the means for transmitting motion from the actuating-ring K to the detents J J, said ring K is connected by connecting-bars P with rotative disks Q, which are mounted on pivot-studs g, which rise from the cover-plate C", between the detents I and J, and support said disks Q in overlapping relation to said detents I and J. Said disks Q are provided with inwardly-projecting studs g, which engage radial slots formed in the detents J, in the margins thereof, diametrically opposite the prongs These parts are so arranged that partial rotative movement of the ring K operates through the connecting-bars P to swing or turn the disks Q, and thereby correspondingly swing or turn the detents J, so as to release the holding-prongs from the studs f on the follower-plates.

The ring L, which surrounds the actuating ring K, as hereinbefore described, is adapted -to be turned or given a partial rotation by either one of the series of radially-arranged levers It, which are mounted on pivot-studs r, atfixed in the cover-plate C" outside of the ring, and the outer arms of which project into the path of the actuating stops or studs of the timers or clock mechanisms. Said actuating stops or studs of the four time mechanisms shown are indicated by the letter 7"; but the time mechanisms themselves are not shown, as the same may be of familiar construction and the details thereof being of no importance, so far as an understanding of the present invention is concerned. The inner ends of said levers R are forked and extend beneath the ring L, with which they have operative connection by means of inwardly-extendingstuds or pins Z on said ring, which engage said forked inner ends of the levers. As a result of the construction described when the actuating-pin r of the time-locks, or either one of them, is given motion by the time mechanism at the end of the predetermined period at which the mechanism is set to operate the levers R or any of them is moved or swung,

thereby turning or giving partial rotation to the said ringL. The dog M, hereinbefore referred to, serves to transmit motion from said ring L to the actuating-ringK. Said ring K has a tooth or shoulderlr, Fig. 11, located in position for engagement with one end of the dog M, while the ring L, which has a limited oscillatory movement relatively to the ring K, has a cam-surface L, adapted to act on the opposite end of said dog in such manner as to swing the same on its pivot and carry the dog out of engagement with the shoulder Zr, and thus release said ring K, when said ring L is turned forward or in the direction in which it is moved by the action of the time-locks. Said ringLis, moreover, provided with a stopsurface I", so located and arranged that when the ring L is at the rearward limit of its movement or in its normal position (in which it is placed or located when the lock is set for operation before the closing of the door) the said shoulder Z will rest over the end of the dog M, which engages the shoulder Z', and thus restrain said dog from being moved out of engagement with said shoulder so long as the ring remains in such position. It is to be further understood that when the ring is in its normal position, as seen in Figs. 3, 7, and 11, the outer end of the dog M bears against a concentric part Z of the cam-surface L, so that when the ring is turned forward from its normal position the cam-surface will have no tendency to move the lever until said ring has been shifted far enough to carry the stop-surface Z away from the end of the dog and the latter is thereby released. In other words, when the ring L begins its movement from its normal position under the action of the time lock or locks the preliminary movement of the ring carries its stop-surface l forwardly clear of the dog M; but as soon as said stopsurface has passed beyond the end of the dog the cam-surface L acts upon the outer end of the dog, so as to swing the same upon its pivot, and thus free it from the shoulder Zr, as seen in Fig. 8. 1n the particular construction shown the dog M is seated in a cut-away portion or recess formed in the ring L, the edge of said ring at the margin of said recess forming the cam-surface L and said recess being made of such length that the stop-surface will be formed by a part of the inner peripheral surface of said ring L, which projects beyond the shoulder K; at the time the ring is in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 11.

The holding-prongs of the detents J are so shaped that the pressure of the compressed retracting-springs against said detents will tend to turn or rotate the same into their releasing positions, and the bars 1 by which and the disks Q, said detents are connected with the actuating-ring K, are pivoted to said ring K at points at one side of radial lines passing through the centers of said disks, the result of these features of construction being that the tension of the retracting-springs will act on the ring K, through the medium of the follower-plates F, studs f, detents J, disks Q, and bars P, in a direction to carry the shoulder Z; toward the dog M, and so long as said ring K is held by the dog from movement no turning of said ring can take place and the retracting-springs will be held under compression. In other words, the engagement of the dog M with the shoulder on the said actuating-ring holds the said ring from backward movement under the action of said retractingsprings on the holding-detents, and it follows, therefore, that when the ring L is turned or moved by the time-lock and the dog M thereby actuated to release it from the ring K said ring will be released and allowed to turn backward under the action of the retracting-springs, and the follower-plates will thereby be released to permit the retraction of the bolts. The dog M therefore by its engagement with the ring K serves when the springs are compressed and the parts are set for closing the door to hold said actuating-ring K from backward movement under the tendency of said ring to turn under the tension of the retraction-springs, while the ring L, through its cam action on the dog M, serves as a means of transmitting motion from one or all of the time-locks to the said dog for releasing the same from said actuating-ring.

So far as the release of the actuating-ring is concerned the cam-surface L on the ring L, acting on the dog M, constitutes a complete means for effecting such release. The construction by which the stop-surface Z on the said ring L extends over or en gages the d og M when the parts are in their normal position is an auxiliary or additional feature intended to lessen possibility of the release of the retracting-springs through shocks or jars, such as might be produced by an explosion or by hammering upon the door, it being obvious that a preliminary rotative movement of the ring L through the action of the time-lock is required in order to move the stop-surface Z past the end of the dog M before the said dog can possibly be moved to release it from the notch or shoulder 72. In this connection it is to be noted that an important advantage is gained by the ring L as an actuating means for the dog M or as a means of transmitting motion from one or more time-locks to the dog M, for the reason that the said ring being practically balanced cannot be easily turned or moved through jarring of the mechanism.

Now referring to the means for actuating the detents l for releasing the casting-springs at the time of closing the door a ring 0, Fig. 12, is mounted to turn on the hub 0 the same being located inside of the stationary ring N, which carries the dog M, as hereinbefore described. The ring 0 is shown as being arranged to turn on an annular bearing-surface of the hub 0, which is made slightly larger IOf than the part of the hub on which the ringN and its sleeve n fits, while said ring is held rigidly in place by a nut 0 applied to the outer end of the hub and bearing on the outer end of the sleeve 02, the ring O being adapted to turn freely between the said ring N and a shoulder formed on the hub outside of the face of the cover-plate. Said ring 0 is connected with the several disk-shaped detents I by means of connecting-bars S, which are pivoted at their ends to the said ring and .detents, the parts being so arranged that when either one of the detents is turned or rotated its movement will be transmitted to the ring 0, and through said ring corresponding movement will be given to the other detents of the series. The holding-prongs z" of the said detents I are so inclined or beveled on their inner surfaces that the pressure of the castingsprings on the bolts tends to rotate said detents I in a direction to release their holdingprongs from the studs 6Z2, and provision is made for temporarily holding said detents I in their holding positions or in engagement with the studs (Z during the time the door is being closed, adapted to permit the turning of the said detents and the release of the studs and the bolts soon after the safe-door is fully closed. For this purpose the lock shown in the accompanying drawings is provided with a dash potcontrolling mechanism, such as has heretofore been used in similar bolt-actuating devices.

As shown in the drawings, T indicates the cylinder of a dash-pot which is attached to the lock-case at one side thereof and is provided with a cylindric piston T, Fig. 7, to the outer end of which is attached an arm 23, which extends outside of and parallel with the said cylinder. A lever U is pivoted to the case at a point inside the outer edge of the same, and the free end of said lever is slotted and is engaged with a stud t on the arm 25. connects the lever U at a point near its pivot u with the adjacent rotative detent I. The dash-pot contains air which by escaping slowly acts to retard the movement of the piston thereof in the cylinder T. Said cylinder is shown as having a small air-exit opening 6 controlled by an adjusting-screw 25*, Fig. 7

The purpose of the dash-pot is to retard the movement of the detentsI when the same are turned by the pressure of the studs d thereon in the release of the bolts. The said detents I are when the safe is locked held by devices hereinafter described, with their holding-prongs 2" out of the paths of the studs d so that the latter may move freely backward into the notches in the detents I when the bolts are retracted by the retracting-springs, and springactuated devices are provided for turning the detents I into their holding positions after the bolts are retracted and the door has been opened, as will also be hereinafter described. It is of course necessary that one only of the A link U several disk-shaped detents I should be provided with a dash-pot, because the several detents being connected with each through the medium of the central ring Oand connectingrods S all of the detents will be moved simultaneously and at the same rate of speed and all of the bolts will be released at the same time.

In order I to turn the detents I into their holding positions and to prevent any movement of the said detents when in their holding positions under the action of the castingsprings until after the door shall have been fully closed, a device adapted for automatic operation through the opening and closing of the door is provided, as follows: In the annular bar D, which is a part applied to the inner face of the door and in which the bolts slide, as before described, or in any other suitable bearing attached to the inner face of the door is mounted a rock-shaft V, Figs. 8, 9, and 10, parallel with the inner face of the door. Said rock-shaft is located near the dash-pot T and at its inner end is provided with a camshaped retaining-arm V, having a convex cam-surface e, and at its outer end a notch 01, adapted for engagement with a shoulder 25 formed on the arm t of the dash-pot. The arm V is so arranged that its notch 41 may be engaged with the shoulder t at the time the piston of the dash-pot is at one limit of its movement and when the detent I, connected with the dash-pot piston, is in position for engagement with the stud (Z At its outer end the rock-shaft V is provided with a lever arm V located in such position that when the door is being closed it will strike or come in contact with a bracket-arm V Fig. 10, which is secured to the inner face of the safe-wall A and which projects over the doorway in such position as to be encountered by said arm V and to turn said arm and the rockshaft V as the door is being closed. It follows from the construction described that as the arm V strikes the bracket-arm V in closing the door the rock-shaft will be swung in a direction to carry the free end of the camarm V away from the inner face of the door or in a direction to disengage its notch 41 from the shoulder t and to thereby release the arm t and permit movement of the dashpot and rotation of the detent I in a direction to release its hook z" from the stud (Z A spring is suitably applied to the rock-shaftV, herein shown as having the form of a coiled spring 27 surrounding the rock-shaft, in such manner as to turn the rock-shaft in a direction to carry the arm V toward the inner face of the door and to swing the arm V away from the inner face of the door, and thus bring the latter arm in position for action on the bracket V as the door is closed. It follows from the construction described that so long as the door remains closed or looked the arm V will be held by its contact with the stop on the safe-wall in position to keep the rockshaft from turning under the action of the spring 4;, which will have been placed under tension by contact of said arm V with said stop in the closing of the door, so that so long as the door remains closed the piston will remain in the end of the dash-pot, to which it is carried by the turning of the detentsI when the bolts are cast by the casting-springs, and the detents will therefore remain in their releasing positions so long as the door remains closed. hen, however, the bolts have been retracted and the door is opened, the arm V will be released and permit the rock shaft to turn under the action of the spring 01 in a direction to carry the arm V against or toward the shoulder 25, and the pressure of said spring acting on the shoulder t of the arm tthrough the medium of the said arm V will act to move the piston in the dash-pot and to also move the lever U, so as to draw or turn the detents I in a direction to carry their holding-prongs in front of the studs (Z The said spring 1: thus constitutes a means for turning said detents into their holding positions after the bolts have been retracted and the door opened, so that said detents will be in position to hold the bolts from outward movement under the action of the castingsprings when the springs are placed under tension preparatory to again locking the safe. It will of course be understood as the rock shaft is turned by the action of the spring e in a direction to turn or move the detents into their holding positions the curved or camshaped edge 4) of the arm V will bear on the shoulder 6 and thereby press the arm t backward until the notch p at the end of the said arm V comes into engagement with the said shoulder t after which the arm 6 will be positively held from movement and will positively hold the detents from turning under the pressure of the studs (1 on the holding-prongs of the detents until the door is again closed, when the arm V will strike the stop on the safe-wall, and thereby turn the rock-shaft against the action of the spring of, so as to release the notched end of the said arm V from the said shoulder t and thus permit the dash-pot piston to move and the detents to turn until the studs are disengaged from the detents, and the bolts are thereby released.

The action of the controlling devices for the casting-springs may be summarized as fol-' lows: \Vhen the bolts are retracted under the action of the retracting-springs, the detents I will be in their released positions, so that the studs (6 will freely enter the notches of the detents without contact with the prongs v. WVhen the door is opened, the spring of will move the arm V until the shoulder t" on the arm 6 is engaged by the notch in the end of said arm V, Fig. 9. The detents 1 will be thereby positively held from turning when the casting and retracting springs are again placed under tension preparatory to locking the door ,and said detents will therefore hold the bolts from outward movement. When the door is closed, the arm V will strike the stop on the safe-wall, and thereby trip the arm V and release the dash-pot piston. The said piston being released, the detent connected therewith will be free to turn under the tension of the casting-springs exerted on itsprong a" through the stud (Z and the bolts will be released and'thrown.

An important advantage gained by the use of a spring which is placed under tension in the closing of the door and acts to turn the detents into their holding positions after the door is opened is that the detents will remain in position to permit perfectly free movement of the holding-studs when the bolts are retracted, so that the holding-detents for the casting-springs will present no obstacle whatever to the movement of the bolts when retracted, and liability of the retracting movement of the bolts being interfered with through any disarrangement of the devices for controlling the casting-springs is thereby entirely avoided.

As a further improvement in the devices for controlling the casting-springs I make the cylinder of the dash-pot T, as shown in Fig. 7*, larger in interior diameter at its inner end than the cup-leather t of the piston T within the same, so that the cup-leather will fit tightly in the cylinder and the piston will be retarded by theair therein when the piston is moving through the outer part of the cylinder, but will move freely when it reaches the inner part of the cylinder. As a result of this construction the detents will turn slowly during the beginning of their releasing movement; but near the end thereof when the studs (Z are about to become released from the prongs i the detents will be permitted to turn freely or quickly, and thus allow the studs to escape quickly and. freely from the detents. The advantage of this construction is that there will be no retarding or dragging of the bolts when they begin to move under the action of the casting-springs; but they will begin to move rapidly as soon as the detents shall have been moved far enough to permit their release, and the casting-springs will thereby be free to act with full energy in casting the bolts, so that the latter will be driven firmly against the inclined surfaces of the safe and the door thus drawn or forced tightly into its seat.

A look provided with radially-operating bolts each having its own actuating-springs has special advantages when applied to round doors, as herein illustrated, for the reason that the radial bolts when separately actuated by their operating-springs act separately upon the beveled bearing-surface on the safe-wall to draw the door inwardly against its seat at a plurality of points, so that each bolt will act with equal pressure notwithstanding slight IIO variations in the sizes of the parts and position of the beveled contacting surfaces on the bolts and safe. In other words, each bolt will be moved by its casting-spring until it is brought firmly into bearing on the safe, even though one bolt be moved slightly farther than the other by the several springs, and the door will be drawn firmly and equally against its seat at as many points as there are bolts on the door.

In connection with the feature last referred to the heads f f of the retracting-bolts F F are arranged to stand at a short distance outside of the flanges (Z on the bolts when the bolts are cast. This construction affords a small amount of lost motion between the said retracting-bolts and the main bolts, so that the latter may be driven outward a greater or less distance by the casting-springs, and thus brought into firm bearing against the surfaces at a without their outward movement being limited by the said heads ff on the retracting-bolts. In other words, this construction enables each bolt to be driven by its castingsprings into firm contact with its bearing-surface on the safe independently of other bolts and independently of the retracting devices, so that each bolt will act separately to draw the door into close contact with its seat regardless of slight variations in the sizes of the parts or location of the contacting surfaces of the bolts and safe.

While the employment of four locks hav ing a plurality of radially-arranged bolts is of advantage in connection with a round door and will also be of like advantage in connection with a small door of rectangular form, requiring but one bolt at each of its four sides, yet so far as many of the features of construction in the lock are concerned the boltactuating device embracing the features of construction above described may be applied to rectangular doors and to doors in which a number'of bolts are operated by a single set of operating-springs. I have, for instance, shown in Fig. 13 a bolt-actuating device provided with two oppositely-arranged sets of casting and retracting springs. In this instance VV indicates as a whole the bolt-actuating mechanism, which is provided with two sets of casting and retracting springs arranged in alinement with and opposite each other and corresponding in all substantial respects with two opposite sets of springs and associated parts, such as are shown in the other figures of the drawings described in the foregoing. The casting and retracting springs in this instance operate upon vertically-arranged boltcarrying bars X, which are attached to and give movement to a plurality of bolts X, such as are used on a long rectangular door of the kind shown in said Fig. 13. In a case of this kind the bolt-carrying bars X may operate additional end bolts Y through the medium of bell-crank levers Y, operated from the bars X in a manner familiar to those acquainted with the construction of safe and vault locks.

As hereinbefore stated, the pinion H. by which the several follower-plates F F are moved for placing the springs under tension, may be disengaged from the raclcbars in the said follower-plates and removed from its place in the lock. An important advantage is gained from this feature for the reason that when the pinion is removed the followerplates are no longer connected with each other and each of them is left perfectly free to be moved by the retractingsprings independently of the other follower-plates. In other words, by the removal of the device by which all of the retracting-springs are compressed each set of such springs is left free to operate independently of the other sets of springs, and the movement of one bolt can in no way be interfered with by the devices belonging to any of the other bolts. It will be further observed in this connection that in the device described the movement of each bolt under the action of its casting-springs is entirely free from any connection with or obstruction by devices connected with the setting of the retracting or casting springs of other bolts or with the control of the casting-springs of the same or other bolts, the pinion for setting the springs being removable, as before stated, so that each follower-plate is free from con nection with any other in the operation of the device and the holding-detents for the casting-springs being operated by devices separate from and unconnected with the parts which accomplish the retraction of the bolts.

An important advantage is gained by the features of construction described in the devices for retaining and releasing the casting and retracting springs, in which the principal parts of said devices are of annular or diskshaped form, as in the case of the detents I and J, the operating-disk Q, the actuatingrings K and L, and the connecting-ring O, the benefit of this feature of construction arising from the fact that such disks and rings are practically balanced and cannot be easily moved,'changed in position, or turned upon their pivots by shocks or jars applied to the safe-door. In other words, it is much more difficult to rotate a disk on its bearing-pivot or to turn a ring on its bearing-hub than it would be to move an unbalanced lever through shocks or jars coming upon the safe-door. These advantages manifestly apply as well to a bolt-actuating device having only a single set of casting and retracting springs as to one having a plurality of such springs, such as is shown in the accompanying drawings. Special advantages, however, are obtained by the employment of the annular actuating members K and O in connection with the springrestraining devices of several actuating mechanisms groupedor arranged around such annular actuating members in the manner illustrated, for the reason that such annular actuating members form a simple and convenient means for giving simultaneous and corresponding movement to a plurality of parts or holding-detents. Moreover,anactuating-ring for transmitting to the part to be operated or released the movement of a plurality of timelocks arranged or grouped about such aring, it being understood that so far as the operation of said ring L itself is concerned said part to be operated or released may consist of the dog M illustrated or any other movably-mounted holding member adapted to engage the ring K or other movable part which is subject to the pressure of the spring (as is indirectly said ring K) to hold said springpressed part from movement and the spring under tension.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination with a bolt-actuating spring and a part moved thereby, of means for holding the spring under tension comprising a pivoted detent adapted for holding ongagement with said part, and a rotative ring connected and moving with said detent.

2. The combination with a bolt-actuating spring, and a part moved. by the spring in its expansion and provided with a detent-engaging stud, of means for holding the spring under tension comprising a pivoted d etent adapted to engage the stud, a rotative ring and a connecting-bar joining the ring and detent.

3. The combination with a bolt-actuating spring, and a part moved by the spring in its expansion and provided with a detent-engaging stud, of means for holding the spring under tension comprising a detent having the form of a circular disk and provided with a holding-prong adapted to engage said stud, and a rotative ringconnected and turning with the detent.

4. The combination with a bolt-actuating spring, and a part moved by the spring in its expansion and provided with a'detent-engaging stud, of means for holding the spring under tension comprising a centrally-pivoted detent having the form of a circular disk provided with a holding-prong adapted to engage said stud, a rotative ring connected and turning with the detent and a clock mechanism applied to control the movement of said ring.

5. The combination with a bolt, a bolt-casting spring and a tollower- 'ilate, of means for holding the spring under tension comprising a centrally-pivoted, disk-shaped detent provided with a holding-prong which engages a stud on the follower-plate, a rotative disk provided with a stud which engages a slot in the said detent, a rotative ring, and a connccting-bar which joins the ring with the rotative disk.

6. The combination with a bolt casting spring, of a detent adapted to hold the spring under tension, a rotative ring which is connected and moves with the detent, a dog which holds said ring from turning and aclock mechanism for actuating said dog to release the ring.

7. The combination with a bolt casting spring, of means for holding the spring under tension, comprising a centrally-pivoted, disk-shaped detent, a ring which is connected and turns with said detent, a dog which holds the ring from turning, and a time mechanism for actuating said dog to release the ring.

8. The combination with a bolt casting spring, of means for holding the spring under tension comprising a centrally-pivoted, disk-shaped detent, a disk which is connected and turns with the detent, a ring which is connected and turns with said disk, a dog which holds the ring from turning, and a clock mechanism which acts on the dog to release the ring.

9. The combination with a bolt, a retractingspring and a follower-plate, which is acted on by the retracting-spring and which gives retractive movement to the bolt, of a centrallypivoted detent of disk form, which engages the follower-plate to hold the same from movement, a rotative ring which is connected and turns with said detent, a dog which holds the ring from movement, and a clock mechanism which acts on the dog to release the ring.

10. The combination with a belt, of a casting-spring, a retracting-spring, a centrallypivoted detent of disk shape for holding the casting-spring under tension, means operated by the closing of the safe-door for controlling the movement of said detent in a direction to release the casting-spring, a centrally-pivoted, disk-shaped detent for holding the retractingspring under tension, a ring which is connected and turns with said last-named detent, a dog which holds the ring from turning, and a clock mechanism applied to actuate said dog to release the ring.

11. The combination with a retractingspring, of a detent for holding said spring under tension, a rotative ring which is connected and moves with said detent, a dog adapted to hold the said ring from turning, a second rotative ring adapted to act on the said dog to release the same from the first-named ring and a clock mechanism adapted to actuate said second ring.

12. The combination with a retractingspring, of a detent for holding said spring under tension, a rotative ring which is connected and moves with said detent, a dog adapted to hold the said ring "from turning, a second rotative ring provided with a cam-surface adapted to act on the said dog to release the same from the first-named ring and a clock mechanism adapted to actuate said second ring.

13. The combination with a retractingspring, of a detent adapted to hold the spring under tension, a rotative ring which is connected and moved with said detent, a dog ICC adapted to hold said ring from turning,'a second rotative ring adapted to act on the dog to release the same from the first-named ring, said second ring being provided with a stopsnrface adaptedto hold the dog in engagement with the first-named ring during a preliminary movement of the said second ring, and a clock mechanism adapted to actuate said second ring.

14. The combination with a retractingspring, of a detent adapted to hold the spring under tension, a rotative ring which is connected and moves with said detent, a dog for holding said ring from movement, a second rotative ring provided with a cam-surface adapted to act on the dog to move the same and with a stop-surface adapted to hold the dog in engagement with the first-named ring during a preliminary movement of the second ring, and a clock mechanism adapted to actuate said second ring.

, 15. The combination with a bolt and a casting-spring, of a detent for holding said bolt from movement under the action of the casting-spring, and means for retaining the detent in its holding position at the time the casting-spring is placed under tension and during the closing of the door, and for restoring the detent to its holding position after the opening of the door embracing a moving part mounted on the door and adapted for contact with a stationary part in the closing of the door.

16. The combination with a bolt and a casting-spring, of a detent for holding said bolt from movement under the action of the casting-spring, a dash-pot connected with the detent for controlling the movement of said detent under the action of the casting-spring, and spring-actuated means for throwing the detent into its holding position embracing a movable part mounted on the door and adapted for contact'with a stationary part in the closing of the door.

17. The combination with a bolt,.a castingspring and a retracting-spring, of a detent for holding said bolt from movement under the action of the casting-spring, said detent being adapted to be thrown into its releasing posi tion by the outward movement of the bolt under the action of the casting-spring and being adapted to remain in its releasing position and permit free movement of the bolt under the action of the retracting-spring and means for actuating said detent to throw it into its holding position after the bolt has been retracted.

18. The combination with a bolt and a casting-spring, of a detent for holding said bolt from movement under the action of the casting-spring, and means for actuating said detent embracing a rock-shaft provided with two arms, one of which is a holding-arm adapted to hold from movement the said detent, and

the stationary part in the closing of the door so as to throw said holding-arm out of its holding position and thereby permit the movement of the detent in a direction to effect the release of the bolt.

19. The combination with a bolt and a cast- .ingspring, of a detent for holding said bolt from movement under the action of the casting-spring, a rock-shaft provided with two arms one of which is a detent actuating and holding arm and the other of which is adapted for contact with a stationary part in the closing of the door to throw said detent actuating and holding arm out of its holding position and a spring applied to said rock-shaft and adapted to act on said detent throughsaiddetent actuating and holding arm to move the detent into its holding position.

20. The combination with a bolt and a casting-spring, of a detent for holding said bolt from movement under the action of the casting-spring, a dash-pot applied to control the movement of said detent under the action of the casting-spring, and means for actuating said detent to throw it into its holding position and for locking the detent from movement under the action of the casting-spring embracing a rock-shaft provided with two arms, one of which is a detent actuating and holding arm adapted to give movement to the detent and to also hold said detentfrom movement under the pressure of the casting-spring thereon, and the other of which is adapted for contact with the stationary part of the closing of the door, and a spring applied to actuate said rock-shaft and arms.

21. The combination with a bolt and a casting-spring, of a detent for holding the bolt from movement under the action of said casting-spring and means for moving the detent into its holding position and for holding the detent from movement under the action of the casting-spring, comprising a rock-shaft provided with two arms one of which is provided with a notch and is adapted to engage a part which is connected and moves with the detent, to move the detent into its holding position and to hold said detent from movement, and the other of said arms being adapted for contact with the stationary part in the closing of the door, and a spring applied to actuate said rock-shaft and arms.

22. The combination with a bolt and a boltcasting spring, of a detent for holding the bolt from movement under the action of said casting-spring, a rock-shaft provided with two arms, one of which is a detent actuating and holding arm, and is provided with a notch which is adapted to engage apart which is connected and moves with the detent, to hold said detent from movement, and is also provided with a cam-surface which rides on said part connectedwith the detent, and the other of said arms being adapted for contact with the other of which is adapted for contact with the stationary part in the closing of the door,

and a spring applied to actuate said rockshaft and arms.

23. The combination with a bolt and boltcasting spring, of adetent for holding the bolt from movement under the action of said casting-spring, a dash-pot provided with a piston which is connected with said detent to which is attached an arm provided with a bearingshoulder, a rock-shaft provided with two arms one of which is a detent actuating and holding arm adapted to act upon the said bearingshoulder and the other of said arms being adapted for contact with the stationary part in the closing of said door, and a spring applied to actuate on said rock-shaft and arms.

24. The combination with a bolt and a boltactuating spring, of means for holding the spring under tension embracing a movable part which is subject to the pressure of the spring, and a holding member adapted to engage said movable part to hold the spring under tension and the bolt from movement, a plurality of clock mechanisms, each having a rotative stop or stud, a rotative ring and a plurality of levers, one for each of the clock mechanisms, each of which is connected with said ring and has an arm standing in the path of the stud belonging to its associated clock mechanism; said ring being adapted to act upon said holding member to shift the same from its holding position and release the spring.

25. The combination with a bolt and aboltactuating spring, of means for holding said spring under tension embracing a movable part which is subject to the pressure of the spring, and a pivoted holding-dog adapted to engage said movable part to hold the spring under tension and the bolt from movement, a plurality of clock mechanisms, each provided with a rotative stop or stud, a rotative ring, adapted to be turned by either, any or all of said clock mechanisms and which is provided with a cam-surface adapted to act on said dog to disengage it from said part and release the spring, and a plurality of levers, one for each clock mechanism, each of which is connected with the ring and is provided with an arm which extends into the path of the stud on its associated clock mechanism.

26. The combination with a plurality of bolts and bolt-actuating springs, of means for holding the springs under tension embracing a plurality of detents, and a dog which holds all of said detents from movement, and means for controlling the release of the springs embracing a rotative ring adapted to act on said dog, and a plurality of clock mechanisms adapted to act on the ring.

27. The combination with a plurality of bolts and bolt-actuating springs, of means for holding the springs under tension embracing a plurality of detents, a rotative ring connected and moving with said detents, a dog adapted to hold said ring from turning, asecond rotative ring adapted to act on said dog, and a plurality of clock mechanisms adapted to act on said second ring.

28. An automatic bolt-actuating device embracing a plurality of bolt-actuating springs arranged radially around a common center, a plurality of clock mechanisms arranged around said center in the intervals between the bolts and springs, and means for holding the springs under tension and for communicating movement from the clock mechanisms to the said holding means located in the central space within the clock mechanisms.

29. An automatic bolt-actuating device embracing a plurality of radially-arranged boltactuating springs, means for holding the springs under tension embracing a plurality of detents, a centrally-arranged, rotative ring, a dog adapted to hold the ring from turning, and a clock mechanism adapted to act on said dog.

30. An automatic bolt-actuatingdevice, embracing a plurality of radially-arranged boltactuating springs, means for holding the springs under tension embracing a plurality of detents, a centrally-arranged, rotative ring and a dog adapted to hold the ring from turning, a second ring, arranged concentrically with the first ring and adapted to act on said dog, and a plurality of clock mechanisms adapted to turn the said second ring.

31. An automatic bolt actuating device comprising a plurality of radially-arranged bolt-casting springs, and means for holding the casting-springs under tension embracing a plurality of detents, a centrally-arranged rotative ring which is connected and moves with all of said detents, and means for controlling the time of release of said castingsprings adapted to act on one of said detents to hold the same from movement and to release the same at a desired time.

32. An automatic bolt-actuating mechanism embracing a plurality of radially-arranged bolt casting springs and bolt retracting springs, radially movable follower plates, means for holding the retracting-springs under tension embracing detents adapted for engagement with the follower-plates, a centrallyarranged ring connected with said detents, a dog for holding said ring from turning, a second rotative ring arranged concentrically with the first ring and adapted to act on said dog and a clock mechanism adapted to act on said second ring, and means for holding the casting-springs under tension, embracing a plurality of detents adapted to engage the bolts, a third rotative ring arranged concentrically with the first and second rings and connected with all of said detents, and means acting on one of said last-mentioned detents for throwing the several detents into their holding positions and for closing the same to permit the movement of the bolts under the action of the casting-springs.

33. An automatic bolt-actuating device embracing a plurality of bolt-actuating springs arranged to radiate from a common center, and centrally-located means for placing said springs under tension.

34. An automatic bolt-actuating device embracing a plurality of bolt-actuating springs, a plurality of follower-plates, and means for moving all of said follower-plates to place the springs under compression, said means being separable from all of the follower-plates so when removed from the device it will leave the follower-plates free to move independently of each other.

35. An automatic bolt-actuating device embracing a plurality of radially-arranged boltactuating springs, a plurality of radially-mov-.

able follower-plates by which the springs are placed under tension, said follower-plates being provided with rack-bars, and a centrallylocated pinion, the teeth of which are adapted for engagement with the several rack-bars, said pinion being removable from the device to leave the movable follower-plates free to move'independently of each other.

36. An automatic bolt-actuating device, embracing a plurality of radially-arranged boltactuating springs, and a plurality of radiallymovable follower-plates provided with rackbars, the teeth of which are adapted for engagement with a centrally-located pinion.

37. An automatic bolt-actuating device embracing a plurality of radially-arranged boltactuating springs, a plurality of radially-movable follower-plates provided with rack-bars,

two or more of which cross each other in the central space between the follower-plates.

38. The combination of a lock-case, a plurality of radially-arranged bolts and bolt-actuating springs, follower-plates which slide radially in the locl -case'and are provided with rack-bars which are adapted for engagement with a single central pinion, said case being provided with a central bearing aperture adapted to afford bearing for a detachable pinion when the same is inserted in the case to move the follower-plates.

39. The combination with a lock-case, boltretracting springs, follower-plates which move radially in the lock-case, said lock having a central opening for the insertion of a rotative shaft by which the follower-plates may be moved to place the springs under tension, and means for holding the springs under tension embracing a rotative ring which is mounted on the case concentrically with and surrounds said opening.

40. The combination of a lock-case, boltactuating springs, follower-plates which move radially in the lock-case, and are provided with rack-bars adapted for engagement with a cen trally-located pinion, said lock-case havinga central opening "forthe insertion of a pinioncarrying shaft and means for holding the springs under tension and releasing the same,

embracing a rotative ring mounted on the 5 case concentrically with and surrounding said opening. 7

41. The combination of a lock-case, bolt-retracting springs, follower-plates which move radially in the lock-case, said locl -case being provided with a central opening for the insertion of a rotative shaft by which the follower-plates may be moved to place the springs under tension, a plurality of detents adapted to engage the follower-plates, a ring which is mounted on the case concentrically with and surrounds said opening and is connected and moves with said detents, a dog for holding said ring from turning and a clock mechanism for actuating said dog.

42. A bolt-actuating devicevfor round or square safe-doors comprising a single lockcase, and a plurality of radially-acting boltactuating springs in said lock-case, adapted to act separately on a plurality of radially-moving bolts.

13. .A bolt-actuating device comprising a single lock-case, a plurality of radially-arranged boltactuating springs in said lockcase, and means for holding under tension and releasing said springs embracing a plurality of detents, a single moving part which is connected with and controls the movement of all of said detents, a dog which holds said part from movement, and one or more clock mechanisms for operating said dog.

44. A bolt-actuating device embracing a single lock-case, a plurality of radially-arranged bolt-actuating springs in said case; and means for holding under tension and releasing said springs embracing a plurality of detents, a single, rotative, centrally-arranged ring, which is connected with and controls the movement of all of said detents, a dog which holds said ring from movement, and one or more clock mechanisms for actuating said dog.

45. A bolt-actuating device comprising a lock-case, a plurality of sets of bolt-casting and bolt-retracting springs arranged radially in the case, follower-plates adapted to slide radially in said case, said case being provided with a central opening affording access to the follower-plates for placing the springs under tension, and means for holding the retracting-springs under tension, embracing a rotative ring which is mounted on the case and surrounds said central opening, and a dog which holds said ring free from turning, and a clock mechanism for actuating said dog to release the said ring.

46. A lock-case provided with a plurality of radially-arranged chambers for bolt-actuating springs, and a plurality of intermediate chambers to receive clock mechanisms.

47. A lock-case provided with a plurality of radially-arranged chambers for bolt-actuating springs with a central recess and with an opening extending into said central recess for the introduction of means for placing the springs under tension.

48. The combination with a plurality of bolts having beveled ends adapted to bear laterally on the safe-Wall, of a bolt-actuating device embracing casting and retracting springs, and a moving part which is acted on by the retracting-springs and is connected with the bolts bymeans afiording lost motion between the parts whereby each boltis adapted to come into bearing against the safe-wall independently of other bolts and of the retracting devices.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my inventionI affiX my signature, in presence I 5 of two witnesses, this tth day of March, A. D. 1903.

' ANTON EVENSEN.

Witnesses:

.WILLIAM L. HALL, GERTRUDE BRYCE. 

